QUINTESSENTIALLY | Insider | Newsletters

Our members have always been our greatest asset and now Quintessentially is excited to be able to offer you the opportunity to refer your business associates, friends and family for membership whilst rewarding yourself at the same time with our new Refer A Friend scheme.

Suggest a like-minded friend for membership and not only will we ensure that their applications are fast-tracked, we will also have it arranged for their initial Joining Fee to be waived as a way of saying welcome.

Each time that we accept the application of a new member who joins upon your referral, you will earn ‘Q Points’ which will be redeemable against valuable rewards such as membership tier upgrades, complimentary extra months of membership and even weekend getaway breaks at luxury hotels - all courtesy of Quintessentially, as a token of our gratitude.

To find out more about referrals and how to start earning Q Points, visit our Refer A Friend page on the Quintessentially website, here.

The trendiest beach resort in South America is undoubtedly Uruguay’s Punta del Este and it will be the place to see in 2009. Unsurprisingly, the best hotels in the area are already fully booked but Quintessentially members still have the opportunity to book themselves a stay in a suite at the hippest hotel about - Casa Suaya.

The hotel is ideally located by the renowned José Ignacio area, the place where people in the know head to. With the most brilliant beaches, the most perfect parties and located right next to all the best restaurants, Casa Suaya is whatever you want from a hotel - party mecca or tranquil idyll.

For more information about a seven day trip - which includes stay in a hotel suite, private transfers, car hire and access to the best private parties - please contact quruguay@quintessentially.com.

The ‘Coat Hanger’ is one of Sydney’s most recognisable icons. Completed in 1932, this Art Deco monolith (the world’s largest steel-arch bridge) cost AUD 10 million dollars and 16 lives, but it has formed an integral part of the city’s ongoing development through into this next century and is beloved by both visitors and Sydney-siders making their daily commute.

Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, BridgeClimb Sydney invites you for a truly unique view of the bridge from the top of the arches themselves, 440 feet above sea level. Choose from the Bridge Climb (along the arches’ incline taking in the panoramic views all the way) or the Discovery Climb (through the heart of the bridge and onto the summit). Whether you’re climbing in the midday sunshine, the romantic dusk of twilight, or waking up with an exclusive dawn climb, it’s a quintessentially Sydney experience you’ll never forget.

Contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com to book your climb.

In stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of Sydney’s brash waterside eateries, some of Melbourne’s finest are hidden away in the dark graffiti ridden laneways that dominate the CBD landscape. One of the best is MoVida.

Nestled in Hosier Lane this traditional Spanish bar-cum-restaurant churns out some of the finest dishes you will find in Australia. Whether taking a table in the intimate dining area or seated at the bar, the full array of traditional Spanish tapas is available along with excellent sassy service filled with character and panache.

Come here alone for an early evening bite, with friends for a vino and a game of backgammon, or with family for a traditional feast. Whatever you do you must try the Ortiz - a Cantabrian artisan anchovy on crouton with smoked tomato sorbet that is absolutely sublime.

Having just been named Chef of the Year in Melbourne Frank Camorra’s food is in high demand so bookings are absolutely essential.

Contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com to reserve a table.

Culminating the Park Hyatt’s season of high tea and high fashion, the team behind Prêt a Portea have brought in the big guns for a show stopping finale. Competing with the stunning views at the harbourkitchen&bar on Wednesday 12th November will be the combined forces of Ralph Lauren, Burberry and Cartier.

The fabulous fashions will be complemented with an elegant afternoon tea menu from 2.30–4.30pm, Nicolas Feuillatte champagne, Twinings tea and Vittoria coffee and a make-up demonstration by Christian Dior. Guests not only have the chance to win attractive prizes from the sponsors, they’ll also go home with a delectable goody bag valued at AUD 150.

Quintessentially has the last few seats left at this exclusive event, priced at AUD 95 per person. Please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com to reserve a space – tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis.

The Melbourne Cup excitement is rolling around again this November with the race that stops the nation, complete with its champagne, fashions, high stakes, Ladies Day, The Birdcage, flowers, costumes, glamour… oh, and there’s also some fine thoroughbred action on the track.

The premier racing event on the calendar, the Melbourne Cup has held Australia captive for nearly a century and a half, with winners, trainers and jockeys alike emerging as the stuff of legend. Tickets leading up to November will be like gold dust, but Quintessentially has access to all four race days.

Contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com for tickets, or for help in getting fitted for an elegant suit or dashing hat.

Melbourne has always been seen as the Australian city with the most cultural kudos, but Sydney has been gaining global attention as both an exhibition space and incubator of exciting new artists. The Weekend Australian Art Sydney is set to be the collectors’ event of the year, bringing together galleries from Down Under and all over the world to showcase an incredible range of art to buy. First-time buyers and seasoned experts will both find much to tempt them amongst the paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, rare prints and Aboriginal artworks.

Quintessentially would like to invite our members and a guest to The Weekend Australian Art Sydney VIP First Night Preview on Thursday 23rd October, from 6-9pm at the Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park. If you appreciate fine art and would like to attend either the VIP First Night Preview or the show on 24-26th October, please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com.

Aria Awards 2008
Acer Arena, Sydney - Sunday 19th October

Abba Mania
Burswood Theatre, Western Australia – Friday 24th – Saturday 25th October

Augie March
Metro Theatre, Sydney - Thursday 30th October
Regal Theatre, Sydney – Monday 3rd November
The Tivoli, Brisbane – Friday 28th November

Elgar Festival, Sydney Symphony
Sydney Opera House - October 31st – 20th November

La Boheme, Puccini
Sydney Opera House - 14th – 29th October

My Fair Lady
Theatre Royal, Sydney – 5th October – 2nd November

Steven Berkoff’s One Man
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Perth – Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th October
Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston - Wednesday 8th October
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide – Friday 10th – Sunday 12th October
The Opera House, Wellington – Wednesday 15th – Thursday 16th October
The ASB Theatre, The Edge – Friday 17th – Saturday 18th October

Simple Plan
Metro City, Penrith – Tuesday 14th October
Newcastle Entertainment Centre – Thursday 16th October
Brisbane Entertainment Centre – Friday 17th October
Hordern Pavilion, Sydney – Saturday 18th October

Stevie Wonder – A Wonder Spring Night
Burswood Dome, Perth – Tuesday 14th October
Adelaide Entertainment Centre – Thursday 16th October
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne – Sunday 19th – Monday 20th October
Acer Arena, Sydney – Wednesday 22nd – Thursday 23rd October
Brisbane Entertainment Centre – Saturday 25th October

The Spiegeltent Festival (Friday 17th October – Saturday 15th November)
Acts Include:
Jimmy Barnes
Forecourt, Sydney Opera House @ Tuesday 4th November
Vanessa Amorosi
Forecourt, Sydney Opera House – Thursday 13th November
Lior
Forecourt, Sydney Opera House @ Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th November

Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical
Lyric Theatre, Star City – From Saturday 18th October

Rugby League World Cup 2008 (Saturday 25th October – Saturday 22nd November)
Semi Final 1
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – Saturday 15th November
Semi Final 2
Sydney Football Stadium – Sunday 16th November
Final
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – Saturday 22nd November

Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and Bone Thugs ‘n’ Harmony – West Coast Originals
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane – Wednesday 29th October
Acer Arena, Sydney – Friday 31st October
Rod Laver Arena Melbourne Park, Melbourne – Sunday 2nd November

Rihanna & Chris Brown
Brisbane Entertainment Centre – Friday 31st October
Adelaide Entertainment Centre – Monday 3rd November
Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park – Tuesday 4th November
Acer Arena, Sydney - Saturday 8th November
Burswood Dome, Perth – Tuesday 11th November

AAMI Victoria Derby Day
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne – Saturday 1st November

Emirates Melbourne Cup Day 2008
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne – Tuesday 4th November

Crown Oaks Day
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne - Thursday 6th November

Emirates Stakes Day
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne – Saturday 8th November

Ben Lee
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Queensland – Sunday 23rd November

Billy Joel in Concert
Adelaide Entertainment Centre – Wednesday 26th November
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne – Saturday 29th November
Brisbane Entertainment Centre – Thursday 4th December
Acer Arena, Sydney – Tuesday 9th December

Manon, The Australian Ballet
Sydney Opera House – Friday 28th November – Wednesday 17th December

Sting and Edin Karamazov - Songs from the Labyrinth
Sydney Opera House – Sunday 30th November

Kylie Minogue – Kylie X 2008
Acer Arena, Sydney – Sunday 14th – Tuesday 16th December
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne – Friday 19th- Saturday 20th and Monday 22nd December

Alicia Keys
Acer Arena, Sydney – Friday 12th December
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne – Wednesday 17th December
Adelaide Entertainment Centre – Thursday 18th December

For these and all your ticketing needs, do not hesitate to contact the team at qaustralia@quintessentially.com.

Located 2 ½ hours from Melbourne along the famous Great Ocean Road, Moonlight Head Private Lodge is a tranquil semi-rural retreat and architectural gem. Situated amidst a rugged coastal landscape, the lodge offers scenery and outdoor appeal while providing immaculate service and gourmet cuisine on site. Evocative, inspiring and peaceful all at once, the property is a unique hideaway, suitable for romantic weekends, family trips and corporate entertaining. Quintessentially members receive either two massage or reflexology treatments, breakfast with Spike the Koala, or a private walk around Cape Otway Lighthouse with local historian Mark Brack. For more information, go to Benefits/Travel/Australia/Melbourne/Victoria - Moonlight Head Private Lodge.

Located under the garish Coca-Cola sign that marks the borders of "The Cross", Piano Room’s understated décor and jazzy offerings brings the touch of class to the neighbourhood. But it’s no stuffy hum drum hotel lobby – as the evening moves on, the band turns up the heat and the trendy young things (that have made it past the strict door policy) get grooving to the sexy, smoking beats. Foodies will also appreciate the delectable tapas menu served from 5pm. Quintessentially members are offered guaranteed entry via Guest List and VIP treatment, priority table reservations and a complimentary Champagne on arrival. See Benefits/Nightlife/Australia/Sydney - Piano Room for more information.